"...because man cannot live on Becker alone!"

C_Tanner

C_Tanner

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
2,139
As of now, Becker still has a somewhat limited lineup, and I have the 4 I like best. I've been looking around at some other stuff that would go well with my Becker family and wanted to throw a few questions out there and see if i get any bites.

1) Wasn't there just an ESEE forum here?? Where did it go? Was going to ask if anyone made different scales for the ESEE-6 (my main candidate for a BHK PLSK-1 substitute) but I no longer saw a forum.

2) TOPS knives. Was watching "Predators" and saw this BFK on Adrien Brodys vest and looked it up. Turns out it is the Tops Steel Eagle 107E. 1/4" BK2-ish Blade. Anyone ever handle?

3) TOPS Knives. Browing their site, I found one that looked like BK2 met a package of Enzyte. It's called the "Condor Alert" and is like a 9 inch BK2 with a Tops handle. Also mega-cool. But seeing how heavy the BK2 is, I wonder if these TOPS knives are super heavy?

I continue my search for the perfect "mid-size-large-main-survival-knife". So far, the closest is the ESEE-6. Mostly because the fit and finish, and they have all the accessories I'd want. Maybe someday Kabar will make a USMC Kabar without the upper forward swedge. That would make for a sweet knife in the range I am talking about. That was my main complaint about the '10..forward swedges check up your baton.

Thoughts on these knives, and any other good ones you want to throw in? The catagories are "1/4 bk2-ish blades, and mid-range ESEE-6-ish blades"
 
Tops makes AWESOME blades---although they are pricey. I have handled a lot of them, including the one you mentioned. They all seem excellent in the hand. The only one i have used, is the Tops/Buck fixed blade. One AWESOME knife. My review is in the test/review forum. Ontario makes some good mid-sized knives. I have the SP47. Great blade, sheath---not so much.It has a 3/16" thick blade, IMHO a GREAT handle, 5160 steel, has a sabre ground blade (kinda like the BK2), drop point. Great little knife. A bigger version of the SP47, is the SP49.
 
From what I understand, Randall wanted the ESEE subforum here deactivated. Someone here has the link to the new forum on the ESEE webpage. You have to email their moderator/administrator, it's an anti-spam measure. Can't help you with TOPS, never messed with one.
 
Last edited:
TOPS have as good of a HT as ESEE, F&F is just as great. People always say they are expensive, but they all have micarta or G-10 handles, and often a nylon sheath. Also, don't judge their prices from their website, you can find them cheaper through their dealers.
Here's an old pic of the TOPS Mountain Lion, BK-2 and the ESEE 5.....
100_0950.jpg


Remove the scales of the TOPS and the BK-2 and you'll see both have removed metal from the tang. They are about the same weight. There's pro's and cons to the designs, as always. The TOPS has a wide edge, ala ESEE, while the BK-2 is thinner and a better cutting tool. The TOPS and the ESEE are sharp, but it just takes more force to cut through hardwoods.
My other TOPS are oddball knives, the SSS and the Pryknife, both chisel ground and sort of extreme designs. I wouldn't hesitate to beat, pry, or twist the pryknife, but it's more a prybar than a cutting tool. Lots of TOPS knives have been called movie props, due to their designs. If one of them works for you, then you'll have a great knife. But, you may want to see it in person first.
 
TOPS makes some great knives, but most of the designs aren't my cup of tea. I've played with a couple of TOPS and for the same $$, often times less, I'd just as soon grab something from one of the makers on here. Of course, only YOU can decide if a knife is worth the money you are going to spend on it.

1095 isn't expensive and neither is G10 or micarta, so if I'm putting out more than $100, I'm probably going with a custom maker who's putting their blood, sweat, and tears into it. YMMV
 
cramsey3006 said:
TOPS makes some great knives, but most of the designs aren't my cup of tea. I've played with a couple of TOPS and for the same $$, often times less, I'd just as soon grab something from one of the makers on here. Of course, only YOU can decide if a knife is worth the money you are going to spend on it.

1095 isn't expensive and neither is G10 or micarta, so if I'm putting out more than $100, I'm probably going with a custom maker who's putting their blood, sweat, and tears into it. YMMV
Click to expand...

Sometimes it works out though. Compare prices between a Trace Rinaldi Armageddon and a TOPS version. Yikes!

Another thing I'm one the fence about with TOPS and ESEE is the black coating. I strip it off my Beckers as fast as I can. But on those knives it's part of the look and the knives are more expensive. Stripping one would definately put me on pins and needles.
 
C_Tanner said:
1) Wasn't there just an ESEE forum here?? Where did it go? Was going to ask if anyone made different scales for the ESEE-6 (my main candidate for a BHK PLSK-1 substitute) but I no longer saw a forum.
Click to expand...

I think Dale at TKC was going to be making some aftermarket scales for the ESEE-6, but I'm not certain of the status of that project.
 
C_Tanner said:
As of now, Becker still has a somewhat limited lineup, and I have the 4 I like best. I've been looking around at some other stuff that would go well with my Becker family and wanted to throw a few questions out there and see if i get any bites.
Click to expand...

limited!? LIMITED!?

did you just call having 9 available knives limited? wow :) 10 if you include Ritter's "BK12" Perseverance... WOW.

now, i suppose you could think that given there are known knives coming on a reasonable timeline... 3 tweeners, the machax, and in the fullness of time, the brute and patrol machete...

but limited?

thanks! i needed that :D

oh, and you want buy the Ritter if you don't have one. it's nice. i should get another one myself.

hee hee hee :D :D :D :D :D
 
Flexxx said:
Tops=:barf:

Esee Forum http://www.jungletraining.com/forums/index.php

There is alot of good knives out there right now, finding the perfect one will cost alot of money but sounds fun...

Don't forget:
Bark River
Busse
BHK
Fallkniven
Click to expand...

Busse's a little out of my price range. BHK has my grail knife, but it's out of my range for another month. Not familiar with Bark River, will google. Not a fan of Fallkniven myself.

Hey Flexxx...glad you showed up though. You'll see I have another thread today titled "BK2 sheath mod". I found a pic of yours on another forum during a google search where you had some sort of back bolted onto a BK2 sheath but I dont THINK it was the ESEE...can you clarify (on that thread)? Thank you.
 
Bladite said:
limited!? LIMITED!?

did you just call having 9 available knives limited? wow :) 10 if you include Ritter's "BK12" Perseverance... WOW.

now, i suppose you could think that given there are known knives coming on a reasonable timeline... 3 tweeners, the machax, and in the fullness of time, the brute and patrol machete...

but limited?

thanks! i needed that :D

oh, and you want buy the Ritter if you don't have one. it's nice. i should get another one myself.

hee hee hee :D :D :D :D :D
Click to expand...

Dude...put down the Beckers for a sec and go do something else...ANYTHING else. I think you're getting a little Becker-silly.

By "Limited" I mean this: Beckers are mostly "Big" knives, and right now have only about 1/3rd of the total Camillus lineup. I understand the Tweeners are coming to fill in that gap of the ESEE-4/6 range, but they aren't here yet. And going from a 1/4" thick BK2 to a 7" BK7 leaves a BIIIG gap where most mid-sized Bushcraft/Survival knives fall into. Thats what I mean by "Limited"

I LOVE my Beckers, dont get me wrong. They are my PRIMARY/Go-To knives. But there isn't "One for every app" just yet.
 
You could always try looking up Entrek knives. I've heard really good things about them but never actually handled one.
 
BK2 to the BK7? Isn't the Ritter collab in between those two? Or is that just stuck in my head for some reason?
 
It IS part of the Becker line up, so I'd count it. Just a little more expensive.

Did you guys get bad storms down there yesterday? Or did they all go north of you?
 
C_Tanner said:
Busse's a little out of my price range. BHK has my grail knife, but it's out of my range for another month. Not familiar with Bark River, will google. Not a fan of Fallkniven myself.

Hey Flexxx...glad you showed up though. You'll see I have another thread today titled "BK2 sheath mod". I found a pic of yours on another forum during a google search where you had some sort of back bolted onto a BK2 sheath but I dont THINK it was the ESEE...can you clarify (on that thread)? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Cool, I got a Sewing machine so I went to a local store that sells tactical nylon (If thats what you want to call it) and made the backing, it works damn good and it stiff....
 
C_Tanner said:
Sometimes it works out though. Compare prices between a Trace Rinaldi Armageddon and a TOPS version. Yikes!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wouldn't pay the money for one of Trace's blades either. They are very nice, but there isn't $600 or more worth of craftsmanship/material there IMO. A lot of knife buying is whether or not YOU, the buyer, feel that you are getting your money's worth out of it. I would not. Is there REALLY that much extra performance in a $600 blade compared to a $200 blade? Is the $200 TOPS better than the $85 BK9? I don't think so. If you think the TOPS is worth the money, buy it and have no regrets.
 
C_Tanner said:
Busse's a little out of my price range. BHK has my grail knife, but it's out of my range for another month. Not familiar with Bark River, will google. Not a fan of Fallkniven myself.

Hey Flexxx...glad you showed up though. You'll see I have another thread today titled "BK2 sheath mod". I found a pic of yours on another forum during a google search where you had some sort of back bolted onto a BK2 sheath but I dont THINK it was the ESEE...can you clarify (on that thread)? Thank you.
Click to expand...

I was really hoping that more people would have added to that thread. It doesn't matter though because there are more threads like that now that everyone is contributing to. At least its getting put all in one place, for the most part.

I'd say go with an ESEE knife.
They have a great warranty, so you can't go wrong with one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top